Different fractionation schedules of radiotherapy in locally advanced head and neck malignancy: A prospective randomized study to compare the results of treatment and toxicities of different protocols

Dipanjan Majumder; Kakali Choudhury; Pabitra Das; Suvrokanti Kundu; Debabrata Mitra

doi:10.4103/2278-330X.105890

South Asian Journal of Cancer, Table of Contents

CC BY-NC-ND 4.0 · South Asian J Cancer 2013; 02(01): 031-035
DOI: 10.4103/2278-330X.105890

Original Article

Different fractionation schedules of radiotherapy in locally advanced head and neck malignancy: A prospective randomized study to compare the results of treatment and toxicities of different protocols

Authors

Dipanjan Majumder

Department of Radiotherapy, Medical College, Kolkata, West Bengal, India
Kakali Choudhury

Department of Radiotherapy, Medical College, Kolkata, West Bengal, India
Pabitra Das

Department of Radiotherapy, Medical College, Kolkata, West Bengal, India
Suvrokanti Kundu

Department of Radiotherapy, Medical College, Kolkata, West Bengal, India
Debabrata Mitra

Department of Radiotherapy, Medical College, Kolkata, West Bengal, India

Abstract

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Abstract

Context: Altered fractionated radiotherapy may have better result than conventional radiotherapy and concomitant chemoradiotherapy to treat locally advanced head and neck cancers. Aims: Evaluation of the response and toxicities in different fractionated radiotherapy schedules in locally advanced head and neck cancer. Materials and Methods: Sixty four histologically proved patients of locally advanced head and neck cancer were included in the study according to protocol and were randomized into three arms. Arm A (n = 21) received 66 Gy in 33 fractions (5 fractions/week from Monday to Friday) single fraction daily in 6½ weeks along with concomitant chemotherapy (injection Cisplatin 30 mg/m ² intravenous once weekly) for 6 weeks. Arm B (n = 21) received 66 Gy in 33 fractions (6 fractions per week) single fraction daily in 5½ weeks, and arm C ( n = 22) received late hyperfractionation after 3 weeks; 30 Gy in 15 fractions in 3 weeks followed by 1.4 Gy twice daily (time gap between 2 fractions were 6 hours) for 15 days with a total of 72 Gy in 6 weeks. Response to treatment, compliance, and toxicities were compared in all the three arms. Statistical Analysis Used: Frequency table and chi square tests done. Results: Baseline data were comparable in all the three arms. Complete response in arm A, arm B, and arm C were 15%, 26.315%, and 23.81%, respectively ( P = 0.339). Grade 1 Neutropenia in arm A was 15%, arm B was 26.32%, and arm C was nil (P = 0.0486). Conclusion: Altered fractionation and concurrent chemoradiation showed similar response with comparable acute toxicities except nutropenia, which was significantly higher in arm B.

Key words

Accelerated fractionation - concomitant chemoradiotherapy - hyperfractionation - locally advanced head and neck cancer

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References

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